Parshat Balak: A Diabolical Plot

Bilam failed to provoke the wrath of the Almighty against the Jews with curses and sought an alternative method of striking them down.

Bilam knew that G-d punishes debauchery without delay, more rapidly than other sins (In Parshat Naso, we discussed what was unique in this punishment). Consequently, Bilam advised Balak to organize a kind of “youth festival” and send young, attractive Moavi and Midyani women there, ostensibly, to sell linen garments and wine to the Israelites.

Bilam reasoned that, after 40 years of living on manna and water, a Jew would be happy to taste some wine. So, the Midianites and Moabites first set up a marketplace and set out their wares. At the entrance to a tent, a young Jew was met by an elderly saleswoman. He did not know that waiting inside was an attractive young gentile lady who had been coached to entice him to sin. The elderly woman questioned, “Would you like a white shirt? Come inside and see what suits you best!” She quoted a price. But inside the shop, a young, well-groomed and helpful saleswoman quoted a lower price (as she was taught).

“Make yourself at home,” she said. “We love you Jews. Why don’t you love us? After all, we have a common ancestor, Terach, the father of Avraham. We honor all religions. Here are calves and chickens; slaughter them according to your law and have something to eat. And… have a taste of this vintage wine.” (At that time, a ban on the wine of non-Jews had not yet been placed; this was introduced only later to prevent circumstances such as this episode.)

At first, what was happening was not surprising. The Jews went to their new “friends” one at a time, avoiding inquisitive glances from others. No one objected, so they were no longer embarrassed. Now they went in pairs, off to “cultural activities”—get-togethers with music and refreshments as well. Bilam’s diabolical plot was succeeding.

“And Israel dwelt in Shitim, and the people began to debauch with the daughters of Moav. And those people called to sacrificial meals to their deities, and the people ate, and they worshiped their deities. And Israel clung to Ba’al Peor” (Bamidbar 25:1-3).

The end was tragic: “... and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel…” (25:3). G-d sent an epidemic against the Jews; 24,000 people died as a result!

While 3,000 sons of Israel were punished for making and worshiping the Golden calf, the punishment for the debauchery here was far more severe. And we see that it came upon them without any delay.

This passage points to another aspect of the relationship with the Moavi and Midyani women. Bilam instructed the girls to persuade the Jewish men to come and “just have a look” at their idol, Ba’al Peor. But the men explained that they were Jews, and do not go close to pagan idols.

The women were instructed to reply, “Well, you can just go and have a look. You do not have to do anything special—not bow down or offer any sacrifices, unless you need to relieve yourself, as in a restroom.” But that was what many of the men did — not realizing that the act constituted the pagan rite of worshiping Ba’al Peor.

When they complained that they were being brought to judgement for having served Ba’al Peor, the zealots of “democracy” gathered around Zimri Ben Salu, leader of the tribe of Shimon, and began to discuss their defense. “What shall we do in response?” they asked.

Zimri answered, “I will achieve the legalization of free love and civil marriage.”

A girl named Kozbi, daughter of Tzur, the Midianite ruler, joined Zimri as they stood in front of Moshe inquiring, “Is this woman allowed to me or not? If you say no, then tell me, How did you marry a Midianite woman, the daughter of Yisro, huh? Therefore, I will openly cohabit with this girl, and no one can stop me!” With that, Zimri led Kozbi into the tent.

All those present, along with Moshe, wept at the sight of a man who had reached such a degree of insolence. There was no comparison. Moshe had married Tziporah before the Giving of the Torah, when a Jew was allowed to marry a person from any other nation, provided that the individual believed in one G-d. Secondly, at Mount Sinai, Tziporah had undertaken to fulfill all the laws of the Torah, together with the rest of the Jewish nation.

But Pinchas, son of Elazar, saw what was happening, and was determined to protect G-d’s honor. He knew that the law states that if someone openly (in the presence of ten Jewish men who were aware), lives with a non-Jewish woman and there is a zealot for the faith present, he has the right to execute the offender. However, he must do so precisely at the time of the crime, not afterward. Accordingly, Pinchas slew Zimri and Kozbi in their very act of rebellion against the Almighty.

As soon as Pinchas had killed them, the epidemic stopped.

The Midrash speaks about Pinchas in the words from Mishlei (16:14): “The king’s anger is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease Him.”

The “king’s anger” here obviously means the anger of G-d against the people. But how did Pinchas appease Him? The Midrash gives the following analogy:

A king is walking down the street with his bodyguards and attendants. A crowd gathers around the royal retinue. Suddenly, one young man shouts a crude insult at the king, who, of course, flares up with anger. He starts to issue orders to impose a harsh punishment on the whole crowd of young people. But then, one bystander steps up to the brazen dissident. “You scoundrel!” he shouts as he delivers a resounding slap across the offender’s cheeks. The king’s wrath immediately subsides. Now, he orders his men to arrest only the actual culprit.

This is like what happened in our parashah when there was no objection to several Jews that were enticed by the Midianite and Moabite women and began to sin even following the women to the temple of Ba’al Peor. No one spoke up for the honor of the Almighty?! Finally, Pinchas ben Elazar stepped forth to protect the honor of the Almighty, alone taking action against Zimri. It was then that the wrath of G-d subsided, and the rest of the people were saved.

 By Rav Yitzchok Zilber ztk"l
Founder, Toldot Yeshurun